Development Plan Lead

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of the statutory Local Plan and related planning policy documents, ensuring a cohesive plan that meets statutory requirements and deadlines.
• Identify issues, research national legislation and policies relevant to the Local Plan, and incorporate them into policy development.
• Design and formulate consultation exercises to enable public scrutiny, engagement and contribution to the Local Plan.
• Negotiate with external agencies and developers to secure necessary infrastructure in a timely manner to support housing growth.
• Act as the senior expert witness, representing the Council in public examinations and planning inquiries.
• Leverage new technology solutions for plan making and policy work.

Qualifications & Experience

• Specialist qualifications and experience in Town Planning and chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
• Extensive experience managing Local Plan production and preparation of planning policies.
• Extensive experience acting as an expert witness and senior planning expert at public examinations, planning inquiries and committees.
• Ability to plan and manage a highly complex statutory and technical planning policy workload and adapt to changing circumstances and technology use.
• Ability to influence, persuade and make recommendations based on technical or specialist knowledge, and provide authoritative professional planning advice and guidance.

Benefits & Salary

• Starting salary for this role is £53,460 (pro rata for part-time colleagues).
• This role sits within a well-defined pay band, offering clear progression as you grow your career.
• This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with an existing right to work in the UK.

For queries about this role, please contact Caroline Peach, Head of Strategic Planning at BCP Council.